Here we highlight the work of the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust:

Botswana Predator Conservation Trust (BPCT)

• Founded as the Botswana Wild Dog Research Project in 1989, the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust (BPCT) has expanded to cover all the large carnivore species in Botswana.

• It is one of the longest running large predator research projects in Africa and one of only a handful of its calibre worldwide.

• The Government of Botswana has entrusted BPCT with the task of leading northern Botswana’s conservation and research initiatives on all large carnivores and their associated habitats.

• The Okavango Delta, where most of BPCT’s research takes place, is a freshwater wetland of global importance. It is the largest Ramsar (International Convention on Wetlands) site on earth and was granted IUCN world heritage status by the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

• BPCT uses rigorous scientific enquiry to acquire essential knowledge regarding all behavioural ecology and communications systems of large predators to promote solutions for the preservation of Africa’s large predators and their habitats.

• Updates and provides accurate information to Government of Botswana on all large predators.

• Has developed a strong rapport with communities to grow the local and national conservation ethos by encouraging their involvement using sound conservation strategies.

Conservation and Education Programmes

• Coaching for Conservation Programmme (C4C) – this programme is aimed at primary school children with the core message: Respect Yourself, Respect Each Other, and Respect Your Environment.

• Domestic Dog Disease Control Programme - through collaboration with the Maun Animal Welfare Association (MAWS), this project aims to control the spread of disease from domestic dogs to free ranging large carnivore species.

• Shorobe Livestock Insurance Initiative – BPCT is piloting an innovative programme that will address conflicts between large carnivores and livestock as well as tackle issues surrounding human-wildlife conflicts.

Core message:

Research and science is a prerequisite to doing effective conservation. Without information from focused research, we cannot address nor even identify the important questions necessary for sustainable management. Without conservation, we cannot change.